Window shade assembly and side channel therefor having light-absorbing surface

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of a window shade assembly include a headrail coupled to a source of a substantially opaque shade material. A pair of opposed vertical, opaque side channels open in a direction facing one another and configured to be mounted to a surrounding frame for receiving at least a portion of an edge of the substantially opaque shade material. Each side channel includes at least one light-absorbing inner surface.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The disclosure relates generally to window shades, and moreparticularly, to a window shade assembly and side channel thereforhaving light-absorbing surface(s).

2. Background Art

A cellular window shade is an effective style of window covering withboth decorative and functional aspects. Cellular shades comprise aseries of collapsible-expandable generally tubular cells that areconcatenated in a generally planar continuous array, i.e., a sheet, thatis cut to fit, when expanded, into a window opening. Generallyrectangular, such shades also typically comprise a headrail, fastened tothe horizontal top edge of the window opening and the upper edge of thesheet of cellular material. A bottom rail is also typically attached tothe lower edge of the cellular material and by cords or other tensionelements to the headrail. A cord-lock or other restraining means canimmobilize the cords and thereby position the bottom rail to anyposition intermediate the headrail and the lower edge (sill) of thewindow opening. By operation of the cords, the bottom rail is raised andlowered, and thereby the cellular material is collapsed or expanded,respectively, to reveal or shade the window.

Another, older form of window shading includes a roller shade, in whicha flat, rectangular piece of material (typically fabric or film) isstored in rolled form on a substantially cylindrical roller core at thetop edge of a window and unrolled when desired to cover the window toblock a view or modulate light. These window shades are inexpensive tomanufacture and can utilize a wide range of shade materials, some ofwhich can be decorated with images or be made environmentallyresponsive, e.g., with self-darkening films. Spring-loaded and ratchetedroller cores are common because they eliminate the need for any visibleactuating mechanism or the safety concerns of exposed cords. Cordedclutch drives are also popular.

For ease of manufacture and to accommodate window openings that are notperfectly rectangular, shades are typically sized with a deduction inwidth, relative to the actual window opening width. This enables freeoperation of the shade without drag or distortion by contact with thewindow opening's side surfaces. For shades made of light-filteringmaterial, which pass but diffuse the light they shade, this side gap isof no concern. But when the fabric of the shade is made opaque, with theintent to darken the room by blocking substantially all of the lightthrough the window, these side gaps (and to a lesser degree, gaps andtolerances of fit at the headrail and bottom rail) are a majorperformance limitation.

One approach to addressing these limitations of both cellular and rollershades has been to provide C-channels that envelope the lateral sides ofthe shade material. For example, C-channels have been used with rollershades with, in some instances, fibrous wipers (i.e., fuzz-bars) usedtherein. The fuzz-bars provide a barrier to air movement and also assistin room darkening. Cellular shade materials are more difficult to sealthan roller shades because the cellular material does not present eithera flat surface or a consistent thickness. In particular, the cellstypically have pleated folds that constitute their external surfacetopology. The expansion-collapse of the cells in the plane of the sheet(that is, in a direction generally parallel to the window) implies athinning-thickening of the sheet of cells (that is, in a directiongenerally perpendicular to the window). Further the very expandabilityof the cellular material (compared, to flat, stable roller shadematerial) makes uniform hang and operation of a cellular shade much moresensitive to uneven drags at the edges, which can easily produce unevenexpansion-collapse of the cells, with subsequent entanglement of cordsand an unacceptable appearance. Due to the necessity of the channelwidth being sufficient to enclose the cells at their thickest(collapsed) condition, a large visible gap is present when they areextended. High-drag light seals, whether of the resilient film type orfibrous wiper type, suffer the above-described flaws in operation andappearance, as well as poor sealing function with regard to the pleated,and inconstant faces of cellular materials.

Further recent increase in concern for potential safety risks of exposedcords, especially where young children are present, has led to anincreased demand for so-called ‘cordless’ shades, where only internaltension cords are present, typically counterbalanced by spring motors orother internal devices that enable pulling the shade down or lifting itby overcoming internal friction only with the friction sufficing tomaintain a position once attained. Such cordless shades are much moresensitive to variance in external frictions like that of conventionalside seals, and typically require a further extension, to release theinternal devices before raising the shade; which action is prevented inshade assemblies with side tracks in the presence of a bottom sill.

BRIEF SUMMARY

A first aspect of the disclosure provides a window shade assemblycomprising: a headrail coupled to a source of a substantially opaqueshade material; and a pair of opposed substantially vertical,substantially opaque side channels open in a direction facing oneanother and configured to be mounted to a surrounding frame forreceiving at least a portion of an edge of the substantially opaqueshade material, each side channel including at least one light-absorbinginner surface.

A second aspect of the disclosure provides a side channel for a windowshade assembly, the side channel comprising: an opening configured toreceive at least a portion of an edge of a substantially opaque shadematerial, the opening including at least one light-absorbing innersurface.

A third aspect of the disclosure provides a cellular window shadeassembly comprising: a headrail coupled to a source of a substantiallyopaque cellular shade material, the cellular shade material including aslot positioned in each edge thereof; and a pair of opposedsubstantially vertical, substantially opaque and substantially concaveside channels open in a direction facing one another and configured tobe mounted to a surrounding frame, each side channel configured toreceive at least a portion of a respective edge of the substantiallyopaque cellular shade material with a first leg of a respective sidechannel extending into the slot, wherein each side channel includes atleast one light-absorbing inner surface.

The illustrative aspects of the present disclosure are designed to solvethe problems herein described and/or other problems not discussed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features of this disclosure will be more readilyunderstood from the following detailed description of the variousaspects of the disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings that depict various embodiments of the disclosure, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of a window shade assemblyand side channel therefor according to embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a horizontal cross-sectional view of a window shadeassembly and side channel therefor according to embodiments of theinvention.

FIG. 3 shows a horizontal cross-sectional view of a window shadeassembly and side channel therefor according to alternative embodimentsof the invention.

FIG. 4 shows a horizontal cross-sectional view of a window shadeassembly and side channel therefor according to alternative embodimentsof the invention.

It is noted that the drawings of the disclosure are not to scale. Thedrawings are intended to depict only typical aspects of the disclosure,and therefore should not be considered as limiting the scope of thedisclosure. In the drawings, like numbering represents like elementsbetween the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 show cross-sectional views ofone embodiment of a window shade assembly 100 according to embodimentsof the invention. FIG. 1 shows a vertical cross-sectional view and FIG.2 shows a horizontal cross-sectional view.

According to one embodiment, window shade assembly 100 includes aheadrail 102 (FIG. 1) coupled to a source of a substantially opaqueshade material 104 (FIG. 1). As used herein “substantially opaque”indicates that the material in question prevents the passing through itsthickness of most if not all of the light to which it is exposed. In oneembodiment, shown FIGS. 1 and 2, the shade material includes a cellularshade material 106. Cellular shade material 106 may include any nowknown or later developed cellular material, which may include, forexample, a series of collapsible-expandable generally tubular cells thatare concatenated in a generally planar continuous array, i.e., a sheet.As will be described herein, however, the teachings of embodiments ofthe invention are also applicable to other shade materials. As known inthe art, headrail 102 is mounted to an upper portion 110 of asurrounding frame 112, e.g., by a bracket 113 and adhesive or screws (asshown). Surrounding frame 112, i.e., a window opening, also mounts anynow known or later developed window sash 114. A bottom rail 116 may alsobe attached to a lower edge 118 of cellular shade material 106 and bycords (not shown) or other tension elements to headrail 102.Conventional fabric wipers (i.e., fuzz bars or other known gasket means)117 may be used to prevent light passage where necessary, e.g., onheadrail 102 and bottom rail 116.

A cord-lock or other restraining means (not shown) can immobilize thecords and thereby position bottom rail 116 to any position intermediateheadrail 102 and a lower edge (sill) 120 of surrounding frame 112. Byoperation of the cords, the bottom rail is raised and lowered, andthereby the cellular material is collapsed or expanded, respectively, toreveal or shade the window. Other now known or later developedpositioning mechanisms may be employed also.

Window shade assembly 100 also includes a pair of opposed substantiallyvertical, substantially opaque side channels 130. Each side channel 130is open in a direction facing one another (one shown facing where otheris positioned in FIG. 1) and is configured to be mounted to surroundingframe 112 for receiving at least a portion of an edge 132 (FIG. 2) ofshade material 106. In one embodiment, each side channel issubstantially concave, having an opening 162 for receiving a portion ofshade material 106. In one embodiment, shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, eachside channel is substantially concave, and more particularly,substantially C-shape, having an opening 162 for receiving a portion ofshade material 106. As used herein and as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4,“substantially C-shape” indicates the side channel has a bight or spineportion 134 with a first leg 136 and a second leg 138 extendingtherefrom. This shape may also be referred to as “U-shape”. Asillustrated in FIG. 2, in one embodiment, first and second leg 136, 138are substantially equal in length, substantially parallel to one anotherand substantially perpendicular to bight portion 134. However, as shownin FIG. 4, neither of these features are necessary in all embodiments.In some cases, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, it may be possible forside channels 130 to be substantially L-shaped, i.e., with a first leg140 and a second substantially perpendicular second leg 142, providing aconcavity. Other shapes may also be possible.

In one embodiment, side channels 130 are permanently coupled tosurrounding frame 112 in a known fashion, e.g., using screws or adhesiveor any other now known or later developed fixing structure. In analternative embodiment, however, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each sidechannel 130 may be removably mounted to surrounding frame 112 by, forexample, mating magnet strips 144A, 144B (as described herein),hook-and-loop fasteners or other means known in the art for removableattachments. An advantage that may be realized in the practice of someembodiments of the described window shade assembly 100 using theremovable mounting of side channels 130 is that it allows, for example,unobstructed tilting of a window sash 114 through surrounding frame 112(where that feature is provided) when each side channel 130 is removed.In one embodiment, each side channel 130, i.e., bight portion 134 (FIG.2) or leg 140 (FIG. 3), is removably mounted to surrounding frame 112 bya pair of separable magnetic strips 144A, 144B. In this case, onemagnetic strip 144A may be coupled to side channel 130, and the othermagnetic strip 144B may be coupled to surrounding frame 112. Magneticstrip 144A may be permanently, for example, adhesively, coupled to sidechannel 130 during manufacture, while magnetic strip 144B may beprovided with an adhesive (not shown) with a peel-off layer (not shown)such that an installer can peel off the peel-off layer, adhere magneticstrip 144B to surrounding frame 112 and then magnetically couplemagnetic strips 144A, 144B to position side channel 130. In thisfashion, when window sash 114 must be accessed, e.g., for cleaning orrepair, side channels 130 can be easily removed, leaving a very narrowand unobtrusive magnetic strip 144B. Consequently, sash 114 can beeasily accessed, and can even tilt in where that feature is provided.When complete, side channel 130 can be easily and accuratelyre-installed by re-engaging magnetic strips 144A, 144B. The process canbe repeated frequently without difficulty or damage. Small extension(s)146 of leg(s) 136, 138, 142 of side channels 130 may optionally extendover strips 144A, 144B towards surrounding frame 112 to cover them fromview.

In one embodiment, each side channel 130 includes at least onelight-absorbing inner surface 150 (illustrated by thick, black lines).Other surfaces of each side channel 130 may not be light-absorbing,i.e., side channel 130 is only light-absorbing at inner surface 150 andno where else. Each light-absorbing inner surface 150 acts to absorblight that may be transmitted through each side channel 130, i.e.,through gaps between side channels 130 and shade material 106.Collectively, side channel 130 and light-absorbing inner surface(s) 150act to block substantially all light passage. In one embodiment, asshown in FIGS. 2 and 4, each side channel 130 may include a pair ofadjacent light-absorbing inner surfaces 150. For example, pair ofadjacent light-absorbing inner surfaces 150 may include a first innersurface 152 of the substantial concavity (C-shape) facing window sash114 within surrounding frame 112 and a second inner surface 154coterminous with bight portion 134 of the substantial concavity(C-shape). (A third surface 156 does not include a light-absorbingsurface.) In this fashion, two surfaces within each side channel 130 actto absorb light, but at least one light-absorbing inner surface, e.g.,152 (and perhaps all of the light-absorbing inner surfaces 150) may notbe visible from a position inside of surrounding frame 112 relative to awindow sash 114 therein. That is, when shade material 106 is retracted,a person looking along view point VP (arrow) toward and/or throughwindow sash 114 cannot see light-absorbing surfaces 150 because leg 138blocks their sight. In this fashion, window shade assembly's aestheticnature is not compromised by revealing light-absorbing surfaces 150. Itis understood, however, where aesthetic beauty is not consideredsignificant or light passage prevention is paramount, each surfacewithin side channels 130 may include a light-absorbing inner surface150.

Each side channel 130 may be made of any now known or conventionalmaterial, e.g., plastic or wood, that is substantially opaque.Light-absorbing inner surfaces 150 may act to absorb light in any nowknown or later developed fashion. In one embodiment, eachlight-absorbing inner surface 150 has a substantially black coloration.“Substantially black” means nearly black or a dark shade of a color thatis dark enough to absorb a substantial portion of incident light.Further, each light-absorbing inner surface 150 may be formed in anumber of ways. For example, surfaces 150 may be formed by a layercoupled in the side channel 130 such as a tape, fabric, flocking,anti-reflective coating or paint coating. Alternatively, surfaces 150may be formed as a co-extruded (dark) layer with side channel 130 (e.g.,of polymer), resulting in side channel 130 being one color and surfaces150 being another color. In another example, layers 150 may be formed bya thermal alteration of a surface of side channel 130, e.g., blackeningby heating or burning. In another example, layers 150 may be formed by atexturing of a surface of side channel 130, e.g., indentations, angledsurfaces, etc.

As noted herein, in FIGS. 1-3, substantially opaque shade material 104may include cellular shade material 106. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3,cellular shade material 106 may include a slot 160 positioned in eachedge 132 thereof. Slots 160 are shown about half way through a thicknessof material 106 where typically expansion and collapse of cells hasminimal effect, but this is not necessary in all cases. Conventionally,a blade (not shown) would be mounted to surrounding frame 112 forengagement in slot 160, or a C-channel that fully encloses the thicknessof the shade material without a blade-in-slot arrangement would beprovided. These conventional arrangements provide an unattractive frontand/or poor thermal protection and light blocking function. In contrast,embodiments of the invention provide each slot 160 configured to receivea first leg 138 of a respective substantially concave side channel 130,with a second leg 136 extending behind (relative to window sash 114) ofmaterial 106, thereby partly enclosing material 106. In other words, anopening 162 of each side channel is configured to receive at least aportion of an edge 132 of shade material 106. The edge 132 and slot 160engagement does not impact the varying thickness of shade material 106,as exhibited in FIG. 1, as it expands and collapses. The sinuous pathcreated by side channel 130 and edge 132 and slot 160 prevents movementof shade material 106 perpendicular to its face, and preventssubstantially all light from passing therethrough but without presentinga visible or unattractive feature, like the conventional enclosing,loose-fitting C-channel. The sinuous path also provides additionalthermal protection. Consequently, side channel 130 functions partly as ablade (thus getting good, close sealing on the one part of the cellularmaterial that does not thin and thicken with movement), and provides thelight-blocking of a conventional C-channel (enclosing a portion of theshade edge, on the lit side with second leg 136 and with second leg 138in the blade position), without the aesthetic disadvantage of a visibleC channel wrapped over the front of the shade.

Referring to FIG. 4, an embodiment in which substantially opaque shadematerial 104 includes a flexible, planar shade material 206 isillustrated. Flexible, planar shade material 206 is mounted as known inthe art using a roller core (not shown). In this case, side channel 130may be varied as shown in FIG. 4 or substantially similar to that ofFIGS. 1-2, except it is only as wide as necessary to accommodateflexible shade material 206.

Side channels 130 with light-absorbing surface(s) 150 provide aninexpensive and easy-to-install sealing system to block substantiallyall of the light that would otherwise pass around the edges of aroom-darkening cellular and planer window shades, but without imposingeither excessive frictional drag or presenting an unacceptable aestheticappearance. Ancillary benefits of improved energy efficiency, comparedto unsealed shades, but without bulky or inconvenient operationalinterference from the seals, are also achieved.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure.As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. Thedescription of the present disclosure has been presented for purposes ofillustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the disclosure in the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. Theembodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the disclosure and the practical application, and toenable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the disclosurefor various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

1. A window shade assembly comprising: a headrail coupled to a source ofa substantially opaque shade material; and a pair of opposedsubstantially vertical, substantially opaque side channels open in adirection facing one another and configured to be mounted to asurrounding frame for receiving at least a portion of an edge of thesubstantially opaque shade material, each side channel including atleast one light-absorbing inner surface.
 2. The window shade assembly ofclaim 1, wherein each side channel is substantially C-shape.
 3. Thewindow shade assembly of claim 2, wherein each side channel includes apair of adjacent light-absorbing inner surfaces.
 4. The window shadeassembly of claim 3, wherein the pair of adjacent light-absorbing innersurfaces include a first inner surface of the substantially C-shapefacing a window sash within the surrounding frame and a second innersurface coterminous with a bight portion of the substantially C-shape.5. The window shade assembly of claim 2, wherein the substantiallyopaque shade material includes a cellular shade material including aslot positioned in each edge thereof configured to receive a first legof the substantially C-shape of a respective side channel.
 6. The windowshade assembly of claim 1, wherein each light-absorbing surface has asubstantially black coloration.
 7. The window shade assembly of claim 1,wherein the at least one light-absorbing inner surface is selected froma group consisting of: a layer coupled in the side channel, aco-extruded layer with the side channel, a thermal alteration of asurface of the side channel and a texturing of a surface of the sidechannel.
 8. The window shade assembly of claim 1, wherein thesubstantially opaque shade material includes a flexible, planar shadematerial.
 9. The window shade assembly of claim 1, wherein at least onelight-absorbing inner surface is not visible from a position inside ofthe surrounding frame relative to a window sash therein.
 10. A sidechannel for a window shade assembly, the side channel comprising: anopening configured to receive at least a portion of an edge of asubstantially opaque shade material, the opening including at least onelight-absorbing inner surface.
 11. The side channel of claim 10, whereineach opening is substantially C-shape.
 12. The side channel of claim 11,wherein each opening includes a pair of adjacent light-absorbing innersurfaces.
 13. The side channel of claim 12, wherein the pair of adjacentlight-absorbing inner surfaces include a first inner surface of thesubstantially C-shape facing a window sash and a second inner surfacecoterminous with a bight portion of the substantially C-shape.
 14. Theside channel of claim 11, wherein the substantially opaque shadematerial includes a cellular shade material including a slot positionedin each edge thereof configured to receive a first leg of thesubstantially C-shape of a respective side channel.
 15. The side channelof claim 10, wherein each light-absorbing surface has a substantiallyblack coloration.
 16. The side channel of claim 10, wherein the at leastone light-absorbing inner surface is selected from a group consistingof: a layer coupled in the side channel, a co-extruded layer with theside channel, a thermal alteration of a surface of the side channel anda texturing of a surface of the side channel.
 17. The side channel ofclaim 10, wherein at least one light-absorbing inner surface is notvisible from a position inside of the surrounding frame relative to awindow sash therein.
 18. A cellular window shade assembly comprising: aheadrail coupled to a source of a substantially opaque cellular shadematerial, the cellular shade material including a slot positioned ineach edge thereof; and a pair of opposed substantially vertical,substantially opaque and substantially concave side channels open in adirection facing one another and configured to be mounted to asurrounding frame, each side channel configured to receive at least aportion of a respective edge of the substantially opaque cellular shadematerial with a first leg of a respective side channel extending intothe slot, wherein each side channel includes at least onelight-absorbing inner surface.
 19. The cellular window shade assembly ofclaim 18, wherein each side substantially concave channel includes apair of adjacent light-absorbing inner surfaces.
 20. The cellular windowshade assembly of claim 18, wherein each substantially concave sidechannel is substantially C-shape.